IMMAF Judge Licensing

IMMAF Judge Licensing

IMMAF awards 3 levels of licenses for judging internationally in MMA. The licenses are awarded on completion of an IMMAF International Judges Certification course and on the basis of judging experience as outlined below.

In order to be eligible to participate in an IMMAF International Judges Certification course, participants must already have a national level judging certificate or accreditation under their national federation and have two years national level experience.

The Class C License

Learners who pass their initial IMMAF examinations will be awarded the Class C License. This will allow them to judge amateur matches only.

The review process for this tier is based on a two-year timescale and Class C Judges must be able to present evidence of officiating 100 amateur MMA bouts in a two year period. This body of evidence will need to be presented in portfolio form in order to apply for the next license.

The Class B License

Learners who are successfully deemed to have passed the Class C review process will be awarded the Class B License.

This will allow them to judge both amateur matches and professional matches that take place over 3 x 5 minute rounds.

The review process for this tier is based on a two-year timescale and Class B Judges must be able to present evidence of officiating at 150 MMA bouts in a two-year period. At least 50 of these fights must be contested under professional rules. This body of evidence will need to be presented in portfolio form in order to apply for the next license.

Class B judges looking to attain Class A status must also shadow judge at an event where an approved IMMAF Class A Official is working in a judging capacity. The shadow scorecards must be submitted for review to the IMMAF and will be assessed.

If the candidate is able to show the required number of bouts judged and is able to prove, through the shadow judging assessment, a high level of professional competence then a Class A License will be awarded.

The Class A License

Learners who are successfully deemed to have passed the Class B review process will be awarded the Class A License.

This will allow them to judge both amateur matches and professional matches, including five round main events and professional title matches.

Summary

From passing the original course, a newly qualified official will need to complete 4 years of judging which should include a total of 250 bouts in order to progress to the Class A License.

Judges who can already evidence this through previous documented work will be reviewed and allocated a grade by the committee on a case by case basis.